This year I have been frequently asked by players and coaches what my strike zone is. Would I be justified in saying anything other than "by the book," which is what I always say?

"its in the book"

id just try and keep it simple

My Zone
 

I've told them "Let's get started and well all find out."
I have gotten mixed reactions this.

I try to keep 'em guessing!

I always come back and ask, "how's your pitching?" Hope it can hit my strike zone.

Or, "its where ever I say it is."

Generally in decent ball games, where the boy shave,(and don't take this personal), you don't get these types of questions.

I had a catcher ask me today where the pitcher's curve was missing. I said "which one?". He said he didn't know, coach said to ask. I said if you don't know which one, don't ask. Really good catcher, caught 2 games on a 95 degree day, the second one went 8, blocked everything, and I could tell he really enjoyed playing, he was always smiling and making positive comments, and we had conversation going throughout the game. I love catchers who play like he did. Both my sons were catchers.

Whatever the rulebook says it is.

I do not nit pick close pitches. I like to call strikes.

Peace

Hittable pitches.

Lapopez,


When asked by coaches prior to the game what my strike zone is, I reply, it is that area over the plate that a pitch enters and you don't hear me call "ball!"

Yes, I do call both balls and strikes. (I don't call swinging strikes)



Tim.
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As umpires, we are the only ones in the world expected to be perfect on our first day on the job, and improve from there!

I've thought about saying that I didn't know because it was my first game.

"You'll find out soon enough"

coach "Hey Blue, what's your strike zone?"

me "How about those Red Sox?"

coach "No really Blue, what's your strike zone?"

me "Mine is fine, how's your's?"

Sooner or later they get the idea.

What's your Strike Zone?
 

"Hey Blue! What's your Strike Zone?"

Any pitch that is not in the ball zone!

Why not be honest?

"It depends on the overall quality of the pitching and hitting, the score, the count, the outs, how far the game has progressed, my mood at the time of the pitch, and whether the pitch involves anyone who has been mouthing off."

I never answer that questions, why give a coach something he can use against you later. I watched a game when the PU provided a definition of "his zone." When a coach disagreed he hollered, "That wasn't a strike in the pre-game!"

After watching that conversation for 3 innings, I decided never give more information to a coach than required. Besides, we all read the same rule book.

Whole heartedly - AGREED
 

I can't agree more. It just gives them something to gouge you with. The first time your perception differs from theirs you are going to hear about it... so why try to define your perception?

It only takes a few pitches to find out so let's wait until they happen.

why not be honest?
 

Because of the exact reason that EMD had in his post. But I can go one better, I had the pleasure of doing the field in a game that the PU did this. During the plate meeting, and I quote; "..., I want your guys swinging, strikes will be shoulders to the knees, and a couple of ball widths of each side of the plate."

I almost choked, we then preceded to play a very looooooooong game because he actually didn't call anywhere near a big of a strike zone as he indicated.

The rats get enough material to argue about on their own, why should I give them more to work with?

Re: What's your Strike Zone?
 

i like this one haha

Re: why not be honest?
 

Because you feel like ejecting someone.

My reply always was, "I don't have one. I quit playing years ago. If you want to know the definition of the strike zone, read the rule book. If you want me to hold a clinic on the rules, we'll do it after the game, and I charge $20 an hour".

Bob

Re: Re: why not be honest?
 

LDUB, that would be a good reason, but I still don't think I will start discussing it at the plate. As far as dumping, from what I have read on this site in the past, I don't do enough of it. I don't work an awful lot of games, but in the five years that I have been officiating, I've only dumped two people (one coach & one player). I had one a couple of weeks ago that was close. Was commenting on my zone to the point that I asked him if he wanted to argue about it. He realized where I was going and decided he wanted to stay. Smart, who said you can't teach a rat something?

Hmmm,
 

Well when Doug Harvey was asked his strike zone he kept it simple:

And "God" said: "If I like it, it is a strike!"

Nuff said for me.

[Edited by Tim C on Jul 26th, 2005 at 12:48 PM]

bbump, please contact http://www.comedy.com and purchase a sense of humor.

Wow! I really hope your definition of a hittable pitch is different than mine.

"Tell them to come up prepared to swing the bats."

My son was asked what kind of strike zone I had when a did a game some of his buddies were in. He told them ( and I told him this because I read it somewhere - probably here ), " if my dad is behind the plate, you better be swinging with two strikes ".
I use the same philosophy as was stated earlier by Tee as a quote to Doug Harvey - if I like it, it is a strike.
( that measn it was in MY strike zone and that is good enough for me !)

Being funny?
 

Hey, thanks for the link!

I might have to use it someday, when I actually try to crack a joke.

I worked with several different umpires over the years and found that they generally have a much wider zone than I do although I like to give the pitchers the corners. I probably call a higher strike (letters and knees) but if asked prior to the game, I just tell them that "I call 'em as I see 'em." After the first inning or so, the crabbing usually stops. What it comes down to is when I played as a catcher, I liked the umps who were consistent. If he called a ball below the knee for both teams, then I knew where to set up.

I had to ask myself where my strike zone was during a couple of innings today! Yuck!!

The rare times I have been asked I just reply with either a "your about to see" or "where I call it". Been a couple years since I have heard someone ask that tho.

"That wasn't a strike in the pre-game!"

There wasn't a pitch in the pre-game.

Bob